DALLAS TWP. — Following two rejections last week, the Dallas School Board on Monday gave its blessing to a proposed $38.6 million budget for the upcoming academic year.

The proposal, which would result in a 1.5 percent millage increase, failed to pass muster during a May 7 work session. It passed by a 7-2 vote on Monday, with a final vote expected next month.

Board members Catherine Wega, Christine Swailes, Sherri Newell, Larry Schuler, Patrick Musto, Ed Dudick and Susan Allen supported the plan on Monday night, with Gary Youngblood and Kristin Pitarra voting against.

“I feel the preliminary budget does not include all the costs incurred by the district,” Youngblood said after the meeting.

However, during the meeting, Musto reiterated his statement from the work session that the 1.5 percent increase, which would raise the millage rate to 13.6338, would “satisfy the financial obligations the district has at this time.”

A mill represents $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value.

The proposal would provide ample funding to work with during the ongoing teacher contract negotiations as well, Musto said.

The proposed spending plan also contains a $10 per capita tax; a one percent earned income tax, which is shared with municipalities; and a $52 emergency municipal service tax, from which the district receives $5 and participating communities are allotted $47.

The proposed budget is available in the district’s administration office for public review. It will be presented to the school board at the June 18 meeting for a final review and vote, Swailes said.

“So we still have time to change things,” she added.

Groundbreaking soon

In other news, Ethan Fick of D’Huy Engineering, the Dallas Intermediate School construction project manager presented board members with white hard hats with the Dallas logo on the front for an upcoming groundbreaking ceremony on May 24.

Fick also stated that all construction workers, contractors and subcontractors will go through a certification process to ensure the students’ safety and campus security.

The next school board meeting is planned for 7 p.m. on June 18 in the administration building.

Ethan Fick of D’Huy Engineering hands out hard hats to the Dallas School Board members in preparation of the upcoming Dallas Intermediate School groundbreaking ceremony on May 24.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_20180514_201306.jpg.optimal.jpgEthan Fick of D’Huy Engineering hands out hard hats to the Dallas School Board members in preparation of the upcoming Dallas Intermediate School groundbreaking ceremony on May 24. Eileen Godin | Times Leader

By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.